Cohn, Dolan Elks ‘Most Valuable Student’ scholars

The Elks National Foundation provides more than $3.74 million in college scholarships each year through its three scholarship programs, of which the “Most Valuable Student” is one. (This does not include any awards from the local level.)

From the 10 applications received, the Hood River Elks awarded the following six scholarships:

First place ($1,000)

Boys — Tony Cohn

Girls — Delia Dolan

Second place ($700)

Boys — Austin Requa

Girls — Megan Tegman

Third place ($500)

Boys — Austyn Polzel

Girls — Tabitha Merten

Judging was based on the following:

250 points for SAT/ACT scores

250 points for academics

100 points for financial need

The other 400 points are divided among community service, work experience, honors and awards, extracurricular activities and essay.

The first-place winners’ brochures went on to the Northeast District contest in Hermiston on Jan. 11. Delia Dolan placed third, receiving $1,400, and the first-place winner was Tony Cohn, receiving an additional $1,800.

As the first-place Northeast District winner, Cohn and his application went to Gresham Elks Lodge on Feb. 1 for judging and an interview. Cohn was awarded second place for the entire state of Oregon and received $2,500. In addition, his was one of 16 brochures sent to Elks National Foundation in Chicago to compete for a scholarship worth, at minimum, $4,000, and up to $50,000.

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Elks National Foundation’s mission is to help Elks build stronger communities by providing for tomorrow’s leaders, our youth, with a healthy beginning, honor the Elks’ pledge to never forget our veterans and to help our state Elks Association with its major projects which are the Children’s Eye Center in Portland and Camp Meadowood Springs Speech and Hearing Clinic in Weston, Ore.